www.fridayweekly.com.np Every Thursday | ISSUE 96 | RS. 20 SUBSCRIBER COPY 14 December 2011 | @* d+l;/ @)^* ISSN 2091-1092 9 772091 109009 www.facebook.com/fridayweekly 3 104 10 1813 PAGE 3 FEATURE HALLOFFRAME ENTERTAINMENT Members of jury and Know what the ‘Bag Bringer’ Fashionable people made it Maya and Max travel across selection team for KIMFF generation is all about, its to The National Designer’s Nepal to explore. Learn share their recommendations arrival and how you can Cut – a fashion showcase and more about this unique for this edition of the festival. become one of ‘them’. design competition. Nepali children’s TV show, NEWS | CLASSIFIED | SHOPPING tech | style | decor Rhythmic Inclinations As the world witnesses the evolution of dance from a cultural event to a form of social and self expression, events like the International Salsa and Dance Festival are bringing the much required exposure of dance forms from around the globe to Nepal. — Srishti R.L. Shah n art form that was born as a ritualistic commu- nity event, dance has Adeveloped into a mode of personal expression, and on- ward, to a type of therapy and even a rehabilitation technique. Improvised vernacular dance forms have entered the main- stream and fused with other styles. New dance styles like street dancing have emerged as a positive expression of eco- nomic or social desolation. Such developments that have affected people across the globe have yet to create an impact of that magnitude on the Nepali soci- ety. The gap, however, is being narrowed through initiatives that intend to introduce dance forms from around the world to Nepal and generate an interest among people, which is the in- ception of any social phenom- enon. For more, turn to page 2 Picture courtesy: Salsa Nepal courtesy: Picture 2 Issue 96 | 14 December 2011 Fr!day cover Rhythmic Inclinations In the past decade, Nepal’s ex- from its inception in 2004, Salsa base that contributed to its suc- posure to dance forms has wid- Nepal, worked towards ignit- cess is a clear indication that dance ened drastically. From being ing an interest in dance among is finding a place in the busy life- limited to what you could catch the people in Kathmandu. “Al- style of people in the capital. The on Western television channels though we started as a Salsa festivals were initiated to bring to and movies to international in- dance school, we are much more Nepal the international exposure structors hosting workshops in than that today, and this year’s and opportunities that are requi- a dance class nearby, the change festival is a reflection of that,” sites for dance forms to continue is tangible. This exposure has says Katia Verreault, co-founder to grow and evolve. Asked how sparked a curiosity among youngsters and working profes- “We wanted it to be more than a sionals alike, who now see dance as a social activity, a healthy Salsa festival – a true dance festival hobby, or simply as a way to with a variety of dance forms and unwind. They take out time to artists coming together to share learn dance forms and show Salsa Nepal courtesy: Picture off their moves at social events. their passion, and for people to Street styles have become a con- experience dance.” The first festival attracted a tional guests,” Verreault fondly structive occupation for many lot of people with the profes- recalls. The presence of one of youngsters. The International of Salsa Nepal. Salsa Nepal has this festival came to be, Verreault sional dancers and instructors the top instructors in the Salsa Salsa and Dance Festival is an come a long way from the Salsa shares, “Binayek [co-founder] and from around the world who flew world, Susana Montero, was the event that works towards en- Dance Academy that opened up I, through our travels to various in for workshops that offered a highlight of last year’s festival. couraging this enthusiasm and in 2004 at Baber Mahal Revis- countries for dancing and train- variety of dance forms from Lat- Verreault expounds that she was contributing to the growth of ited. Over the years they have ing, wanted to bring such op- in to belly dancing, street styles, an incredibly skilled instructor dance as a discipline. included a multitude of dance portunities to our students in and fitness dancing. “Smooth or- and people felt fortunate to have The first festival was orga- forms that are taught in work- Kathmandu. We started with in- ganization and great volunteers the chance to learn from her. nized by Salsa Nepal in 2010, shops, and have gone on to orga- viting a guest instructor at a time – people were thankful for the This year’s International Sal- and its success paved the way nize annual dance events. – Lourd Vijay, Alex Diaz, Anup good ambience, the punctual- sa and Dance Festival promises for the Second International The possibility of hosting an Thomas, and slowly it led to ity and how smoothly the event to be as eventful, and hopefully Salsa and Dance Festival which international dance festival and a full-fledged festival with more took place. And again, the magic will surpass last year’s stan- is right around the corner. Right having a commendable support than 15 instructors.” of Nepal struck our interna- dards. Workshops, shows and parties fill up the schedule for this three-day event set to begin on 9 December. The variety of instructors and dance compa- nies, the different dance forms, the shows, and the international guests are the attractions that are already drawing dance en- thusiasts. “We wanted it to be more than a Salsa festival – a true dance festival with a vari- ety of dance forms and artists coming together to share their passion, and for people to expe- rience dance,” shares Verreault. With varying styles and classes tailored for beginners to those with advanced skills, the work- shops are structured to ensure there is something for every en- thusiast. The festival will include some of last year’s instructors who are back this year on popular re- quest, like Sita for belly dancing. The event will also introduce L.danse company from France, who are the first all-women hip hop dance company to come to Nepal. SDIPA, Magna Gopal, Neera Maskara, and Shiamak Davar Institute of Performing Arts are some of the other in- structors who are part of this year’s event. Contemporary and urban dance styles have been included to cater to the interest of the Nepali youth. The festival will also include a hip hop battle this year where various dance forms can meet and be inspired by one another in a friendly and non-competitive spirit. The fes- tival will end on 11 December with the Himalayan Salsa Sunrise Dance Marathon at Nagarkot. The festival presents an op- portunity for Kathmandu resi- dents to explore their dance potential and passion while the presence of instructors, dance groups and international guests from Oman, the U.A.E., India, France, and Singapore will most surely promote the discipline of dance and go beyond it to allow a vibrant and valuable cultural exchange. ! The Second International Salsa and Dance Festi- val runs 9 December through 11 December. Details on What’s On. page3 one question make your statement Which movies at the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival do you recommend? When KIMFF started in the year 2000 as a non-competitive biennial event, it explored adventure, sports, cultures and people’s relation with the mountains. Over the years, the festival has succeeded in attracting not only filmmakers, enthusiasts, and critics but also scholars, journalists, activists, and mountaineers. It is the interest of this creative and intellectual community that has sustained KIMFF and placed Kathmandu on the map of international film festivals. This year, KIMFF is back in its ninth edition, featuring 52 films from 22 countries. We get you recommendations for the festival from the organizers, and members of the jury and the selection panel. — Mannat Shrestha Since there are so many films being featured, I cannot just pick one. I There are a few films about migrant would like to start from the Nepali panel. There is premiere of Buried in labor and condition. One I would Tears which portrays the life of Nepali migrant workers in Korea. Similarly recommend would be Journey to Yarsa. there is another film on the life of the Nepali migrant workers in the Gulf. The director has spent a lot of time Then there is Secrets of Dhaulagiri by Prabesh Subedi. Although I’m not with the people and done his research. sure of the name there is a movie about polyandry. Also there is Journey It has a story about the poor people to Yarsa and a women-related film War + Love in Kabul. Abhinash Bikram in the mountain risking their lives to Shah’s Ma Khhusi Chu, which is the only fiction being screened, is also not get some yarsagumba. Yarsagumba to be missed. Kunda Dixit is conducting the Know your Himal quiz which is recognized as one of the most is also going to be filled with fun. In the international category, there is a expensive items sold for millions. This special footage of the 1950s by Toni Hagen. I would also like to add that document shows the other side of it – there is a documentary of a female French mountaineer titled Au Dela Des the suffering people go through. It also Cihes (Beyond the Summits) which has been shot really well. gives a very good picture of the life of people in the mountain that people in Ramyata Limbu has been the director of KIMFF since 2000.